Approximately 400 people turned out Saturday morning, Nov. 1, to assist with Henry County’s annual roadside litter clean up. Working under the direction of Henry County Solid Waste Department, residents cleaned more than 200 miles of Henry County roads. Throughout the day, the teams worked diligently, picking up over 1,339 bags of trash and overflowing two large dumpsters.

The holiday season is just around the corner. We are currently working on the annual Light Up New Castle. The date is Friday, Dec. 5, from 5-8 p.m. We will have a dulcimer group performing, twilight parade, tree lighting ceremony, free pictures with Santa, merchant open houses, and more.

Next month will mark the second anniversary of Fiscal Court purchasing the land for our new Recreational and Services Park. About that same time a group of 20 dedicated citizens representing various interests including youth sports, our schools, our seniors, service agencies, and local government formulated a plan for which to develop the park. It is my pleasure to report to you that a significant portion of that plan has been implemented or is in progress.

The first snowflake of the season silently hit my windshield this morning. It was randomly floating on a cold hard wind kept at bay by the glass around me. With my heater on high I drove to church with my wife and two kids. We have much to be thankful for.

Recently I was in the checkout line at Kohl’s when I overheard the salesgirl ask a woman ahead of me if she would like to be put on their e-mail list. “Sorry,” the lady said. “I’m computer illiterate.” With a vague hint of superiority, I thought, “Aha! Someone lower on the old totem pole than me!” The truth is, while I can e-mail –I am not much more advanced on the computer than this woman. About all I can do is log on and off.

A few days ago, someone called my office and left an anonymous message that indicated that I should practice the separation of church and state. While, when I wrote my article, I did not have the luxury of writing under the cloak of anonymity, I did so as a concerned citizen, not as the “Good Reverend,” as I have been dubbed. The church had nothing to do with my personal opinion. I had not discussed local politics over the pulpit. Therefore, my congregants had no inkling what I was thinking or, even the fact, that I was writing an article.